Search

You are here

Share

Turtles on the move

Healesville Sanctuary vets released Mr. Meccano, a Common Long-necked Turtle back into a dam at Domaine Chandon last week.

Mr. Meccano was one of 25 turtles that have been bought into the Australian Wildlife Health Centre this season after being hit by cars.

All have had their shells 'glued' back together using a combination of body cement, hooks and eyes and surgical wire. Quite often we need to put in a feeding tube as a bypass to their stomach while they heal.

Spring and early summer is the traditional start of the breeding season for two of our common freshwater turtle species. They have begun to move about, making them particularly vulnerable to being hit by cars.

Motorists PLEASE keep your eyes out for freshwater turtles at the moment. If you see a turtle while you are driving we would ask you to:

• Slow down to avoid hitting them,
• Don’t touch them unless it is to move them off the road in the direction they were already travelling,
• Do not take them home as pets; and
• Do not let domestic animals such as dogs attack them.

If you find an injured turtle or any injured wildlife, please call RACV Wildlife Connect on 13 11 11.